Share or Direct Access

In the previous article, I concluded that there is no difference in the back end between ‘Share’ and ‘Copy link’. In both cases a link is created.

So what is the difference between ‘Share’ (or ‘Copy link’) and ‘Direct Access’ (+Advanced and classic permissions)?

Share or Copy link / Links giving access:

You can share with a user and an AD group.
You cannot share with a SharePoint group or a Microsoft 365 group.
People can only gain access to the file or folder by following a link that has been sent to them. Until they follow the link, they won’t have access to the file or folder, and they won’t find it by using Search.
Downloading certain types of files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, mp4, …) can be blocked.
You cannot share a library, a list or a site. Only a folder, an item and a file can be shared.
Permission inheritance is broken.
Power Automate action: Create sharing link for a file or folder.

Direct Access, Advanced, Classic Permissions:

You can give access to a user, an AD group, a SharePoint group and a Microsoft 365 group.
You can share with the built-in group ‘Everyone except external users’.
The shared information is findable.
You can create custom levels of security.
You can give access to a site, a library, a list, a folder, an item or a file.
Permission inheritance is broken.
Power Automate action: Grant access to an item or a folder (doesn’t allow the use of a SharePoint group).

Also